AQL means Acceptable Quality Level. If your company is working with international apparel buyers, your factory might be using this AQL.
AQL based quality inspection and sampling method is widely used in the garment industry. AQL is a statistical measurement used to determine the maximum number of defective items considered acceptable during the inspection process. It is a standard used to assess the quality of a batch of garments, ensuring that they meet the required specifications before being shipped or delivered. (AQL is used in many other manufacturing industries for product quality inspection).
In the context of the garment industry, AQL is typically expressed as a percentage, indicating the proportion of defects allowed within a sample from a larger production lot. The smaller the AQL percentage, the stricter the quality standard, meaning fewer defects are permitted.
AQL Method:
To use AQL method for quality inspection for the packed shipment or internal inspection for stitched garments, one needs to understand following terms.
Sample Size: A sample of garments is selected randomly from a production batch.
Defect Classification: Defects found are categorized as major or minor:
Major Defects: Serious flaws that could affect the product’s usability, safety, or functionality.
Minor Defects: Less serious flaws that do not significantly affect the product’s overall usability or appearance.
AQL Limits: The AQL defines the maximum acceptable number of defects within the sample. For instance, an AQL of 2.5% means that no more than 2.5% of the items in the sample can have defects.
The most common AQLs for garment quality are:
1.0% for critical or major defects.
2.5% for minor defects.
4.0% for less severe defects.
The AQL standard helps manufacturers and suppliers maintain consistent quality levels, reduces the likelihood of customer complaints, and ensures that a high percentage of garments meet the quality expectations.
Related Article:
Functions of the Quality Control Department in the Garment Industry
